How to read a Korean car inspection report
Korea’s official 성능·상태점검기록부 (performance & condition inspection record), explained
Every used car sold by a dealer in South Korea comes with an official performance & condition inspection report, completed by a licensed inspector. It is the single most useful document for judging a Korean used car from abroad — it records accident repairs, structural work, mileage verification, and the mechanical condition of the engine and transmission. This guide explains what each section means, so you can read the record yourself before importing.
What is the inspection report?
The performance & condition inspection record is a standardized report a licensed Korean inspector fills in when a car is put up for sale. It is required by law for dealer sales. It is not a marketing document — it records measured facts: which body panels were repaired or replaced, whether the odometer reading is consistent, whether the engine or transmission shows problems, and whether the title is clean.
Body & paint: accident and repair history
The report maps the car’s body panels and marks each one that has been repaired (bodywork or welding) or replaced (the panel was swapped out). A replaced or welded structural panel — a pillar, a chassis rail, a floor section — is the most important signal: it usually means a significant past accident. Cosmetic paintwork on a bolt-on panel (a door, a bumper) is far less serious. On each car page we reproduce this panel map exactly, and flag any structural panel.
Engine & transmission
The inspector records whether the engine and transmission are in good condition or show a specific fault (oil leaks, noise, poor shifting). A clean engine and transmission line is a strong sign; a noted fault is something to ask about before buying.
Title, liens and odometer
The report confirms whether the car has a clear title (no outstanding finance or liens registered against it) and whether the odometer reading is consistent with the car’s service history. A registered lien or an inconsistent odometer is a reason to be cautious.
How we show it
For every car in our catalogue we reproduce Korea’s official inspection record, unaltered — the panel map, the engine and transmission diagnosis, the title and lien status, and the scanned pages of the original document. Nothing is hidden and nothing is added. Where a data point isn’t available, we say so rather than imply the car is clean.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Korean inspection report reliable?
- It is completed by a licensed inspector and required by law for dealer sales, so it is far more reliable than a seller’s description. It reflects the car’s condition at the time of inspection.
- What does a “structural” panel repair mean?
- It means a load-bearing part of the body (a pillar, rail or floor section) was repaired, welded or replaced — usually a sign of a significant past accident. We flag every structural panel on the car’s page.
- Does a repaired panel mean I shouldn’t buy the car?
- Not necessarily. Cosmetic repairs to bolt-on panels (doors, bumpers) are common and minor. Structural repairs are more serious. The report lets you judge for yourself instead of guessing.
- Can I see the original document?
- Yes. On each car page we show the scanned pages of the original Korean inspection record, alongside our plain-language summary.